Patricia Underwood
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“Rape of Life Itself”This piece began several years ago dealing with the issue of rape, specifically rape of women by men. The vagina, entrance to the uterus or womb is the portal for a soul’s entrance to this physical world. It is ironic that the very precious place that gives start, growth and possibility to humans is also the target for the most violent attacks. This violence comes not from self-defensiveness (a natural part of the healthy human psyche) but rather from a deep personal and cultural anger and pain. Rape of Life Itself” is a prayer for the eventual healing of this deep pain. Because the occurrence is so widespread, being found literally in every culture, it signals a phenomenon unique to our species, a much bigger sickness than what it appears. I pay homage to the Congolese women’s suffering in this shield, honor their spirit and offer prayers for their healing. Rape embraces much more: rape of men in prison, children who are sexually taken advantage of, assaulted, child prostitutes, altar boys. Rape of one culture by another. Colonialism. Invasions. Expansionism. Intellectual rape. Psychological rape. Emotional rape. Sexual harassment. All at the expense of the subordinate’s well being. Dominance and subjugation, whether by a man, woman, child (over another child), teacher over a student, coach over a charge, country over another country or culture is a breaking of a boundary. Boundaries, both physical and emotional, are the very essence of our human dignity. This piece honors all who have suffered rape in one form or another and is a visual prayer for healing. The red triangular shape is symbolic of a safe place, for life to exist, for healthy relationships. It is full, richly lined with red beads, not unlike the lining of a womb. The black shape piercing into the red represents any form of energy that violates life itself. |
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